Christie's American Art Cataloguer

About Christie's

Founded in London in 1766 by James Christie, Christie’s is a leading international auction house whose heritage spans fine art, decorative arts, jewellery and exceptional collectibles. Through auctions, private sales and digital platforms, it connects collectors with remarkable objects and the expertise that brings their histories to life. As an employer, Christie’s offers career paths across specialist departments, client services, marketing, technology and operations within a global, culturally rich environment. Its work calls for intellectual curiosity, discretion and meticulous attention to detail, appealing to professionals who value scholarship, commercial acumen and the exacting standards of the international art and luxury markets.

Role & Responsibilities

• Research artworks for bibliography, provenance and exhibition history using libraries, online databases, the internet and external experts such as curators, dealers and publishers.
• Physically catalogue property for public and private sales, including measuring it and assessing its condition and media, supported by the research methods listed above.
• Write and prepare catalogue essays.
• Assist business-getters with documents for potential consignments, such as proposals.
• Coordinate restoration and framing, serving as the primary liaison with external experts and internal stakeholders.
• Liaise between the department and experts to ensure timely, effective communication.
• Promptly flag authenticity concerns and condition issues to the appropriate specialist.
• Proofread cataloguing with specialists before submitting the final proof to Catalogue Production.
• Prepare property for hilling sessions to determine its value, condition and marketability, and amend catalogue sheets following those sessions.
• Send special-interest letters to market upcoming auctions, as assigned.
• Prepare condition reports in the system and forward them to clients upon request.
• Assist clients in the galleries during preview weekends and sale week, serving as the primary point of contact for questions about sale property, internally and externally.
• Maintain the department library and research materials.
• Assist with catalogue production as needed.
• Coordinate photography, restoration and copyright approval.
• Serve as the primary liaison with external experts.
• Maintain sale images in the media library, monitoring progress and liaising with the photo studio about missing images and deadline constraints.
• Participate in telephone bidding with clients during auctions.
• Contribute to business getting.
• Assist with appraisals, including research supporting insurance appraisal documents, and liaise between Trust & Estates and the department.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Manager.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in fine or decorative art preferred, or equivalent work experience.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 2 years of paid experience in the arts.
• Knowledge of email, spreadsheet, word-processing and presentation software; Microsoft Office preferred.
• Ability to learn Christie’s systems, including COS, JDE, the intranet and website.
• Strong typing skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including superior written and spoken communication.
• Superior client-service skills.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and prioritize.
• Strong follow-up skills and attention to detail.

Skills

Experience

Minimum 2 years of paid experience in the arts.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in fine or decorative art preferred, or equivalent work experience; Master’s degree preferred.

Compensation

The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 57,000 to USD 63,000 per annum.

Benefits

Medical, dental and vision plans for employees and dependents (Christie’s pays an average of 80% of total premiums); 401(k) plan with matching contributions up to 5%, subject to IRS limits; life insurance of 3 times base salary up to $400,000, fully paid by Christie’s; disability insurance, fully paid by Christie’s; generous time-off and leave policies, including 100% paid family leave for up to 16 weeks; fitness-fee and membership reimbursement up to $600 per year; annual discretionary performance bonus plan; pre-tax commuter benefits with a $21 monthly Christie’s contribution; up to 10 days of backup child or elder care through Bright Horizons; one paid CSR day per year for charity work; and perks and discounts through Zo and Plum Benefits.

Culture

Christie’s workplace culture centres on specialist expertise, intellectual curiosity and a shared appreciation for art and exceptional objects, with discretion and attentive client service shaping its professional environment. Its international auction business brings together specialists and colleagues across disciplines, combining a distinguished heritage with an evolving approach to digital engagement and the global art market.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.